Bent Gets England Call

28 March 2009 22:09
Fabio Capello has called Darren Bent into the England squad for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine.[LNB]The Italian made the decision after Carlton Cole was ruled out with a thigh injury picked up in this evening's 4-0 win over Slovakia.[LNB]Capello also has a major doubt over Emile Heskey, who will undergo a scan tomorrow after lasting just 14 minutes before limping off with what the England coach described as cramp.[LNB]Bent won the last of his four caps in November, when he was part of the team that registered an historic win over Germany in Berlin.[LNB]Previously, the 24-year-old was a substitute when England suffered their catastrophic home defeat to Croatia that cost them a place at Euro 2008.[LNB]With Michael Owen and Kevin Davies ruled out as potential replacements for Cole, the only other possibility was Gabriel Agbonlahor, but he pulled out of the Under-21 victory in Norway with a hamstring strain.[LNB]Capello will wait for the results of the scan on Heskey, who prodded England in front after just eight minutes to break an international scoring drought that dates back almost six years, before deciding whether he needs further reinforcements.[LNB]However, Peter Crouch should be fit despite taking a hefty bang on the hip from former team-mate Martin Skrtel that forced him off before the end.[LNB]In addition, Rio Ferdinand should be available for Wednesday's game after scans on a groin injury that caused him to miss out tonight revealed no damage.[LNB]

Source: Eurosport